On Foot With a Guide: Climbing, Canyons, Desert Walks
Things you can add along the way — usually half a day, somewhere you were stopping anyway. Not a replacement for the road trip: the part you do on foot, with someone who knows the ground.
Joshua Tree & the California desert
Climbing, rappelling and guided desert walks — usually half-day, so the rest of the day stays yours for driving or for doing nothing.
Climbing instruction and guided climbs in Joshua Tree National Park, from a first-timer day to custom programmes.
Joshua Tree, CA
Guided climbing and rappelling in Joshua Tree, including families and groups with no experience.
Joshua Tree, CA
AMGA-accredited: climbing, guided hikes, canyon and corridor tours, and rappelling courses.
Joshua Tree, CA
Family-run climbing guide service with certified guides, focused on small groups.
Joshua Tree, CA
Naturalist-led walks in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park — half day, full day or multi-day, with topics you can choose.
Borrego Springs, CA
Zion & southern Utah
Slot canyons, the Narrows and guided climbs. In Springdale the outfitting often matters more than the guiding — the Narrows needs boots, a stick, and a drysuit depending on the season.
Has outfitted Narrows hikers since 1996; also guided canyoneering, climbing and via ferrata routes.
Springdale, UT
Narrows outfitting, guided hikes and canyoneering in the slot canyons around Zion.
Springdale, UT
Canyoneering and climbing around Zion, including courses for beginners.
Springdale, UT
One thing that regularly catches people out: commercial guiding is not permitted everywhere in designated Wilderness. Around Zion, the Springdale outfitters therefore run most canyoneering on BLM, Forest Service or private land outside the park boundary — not in the Zion Wilderness itself. If you have a specific canyon in mind, ask before booking. Guides working inside national parks need a permit either way, and a reputable operator will tell you theirs.
Details from each operator’s own website, as of August 2026. Programmes and prices change — confirm anything that matters directly with them. Missing someone, or spotted something out of date? Let us know.